Wilson



Oct. 18, 1960 L. WILSON HEAT TRANSFER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1958 INVENTOR.

LAWRENCE WiLsou 3:1 75;: W gwa- ATTORNE 5 Oct. 18, 1960 Filed May 15, 1958 L. WILSON HEAT TRANSFER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LAWRENCE WiLsoN ATTORNEYS Get. 18, 1960 WILSON 2,956,650

HEAT TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Tij E INVENTOR.

B LAWRENCE WiLsoN 31:11:25, 7521 F 3am ATTORNEYS secured in a circumferentially extending recess 58b (Fig. 8) in cylinder operating fluid transfer ring 40 to engage the confronting end surface of cooling-fluid transfer ring 56 to prevent lengthwise movement of ring 56 with respect to ring 40 in one axial direction. Retainer ring 58a (Fig. 2) abuts against a circumferentially extending shoulder 61 disposed adjacent the other end of cylinder operating fluid transfer ring 40, and against a confronting surface of cooling-fluid transfer ring 56, to prevent relative axial movement of the latter with respect to ring 40 in the other direction.

Transfer ring 56 comprises a circumferentially extending flange or shoulder portion 58 (Fig. 4) adjacent one end thereof and longitudinally extending cooling liquid transmitting chambers or passageways 59 and 68. In the embodiment of the invention shown, pairs of generally diametrically spaced passageways 59 and 60 are illustrated, but it will be understood that only one passageway for each of the pairs could be utilized. Passageways 59 and 60 are closed on the right hand (as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4) ends thereof as by means of plug members 59a and 60a respectively. Circumferentially extending, fluid-feed and fluid-return grooves 62 and 64 respectively are also provided on the exterior surface of transfer ring 56. Fluid feed groove 62 communicates with coolingfluid feed passageways 59 by means of generally radially extending ports 70 (Fig. 4), while the outer ends of passageways 59 are connected by port 66 to feed line 68 running from the pressure side of the aforementioned cooling system of the main power unit of the machine on which the winch mechanism is mounted. The flow of cooling fluid from feed line 68, through passageways 59 and ports 70 to groove 62 is shown by the full line arrows in Fig. 4. Passageways 60 communicate at their outer ends through port 72 (Fig. 4) with return line 74 (shown in dot-dash linesFigs. 1 and 4) which extends to the return side of the aforementioned cooling system of the main power plant of the machine. Passageways 60 are in communication with cooling fluid return groove 64, through radially extending ports 76. The return flow of cooling fluid frorn groove 64, through ports 76 and passageways 60 to return line 74 is shown by the associated full line arrows in Fig. 4. Suitable O-ring seals 77 are disposed in complementary slots on either side of fluid transfer feed and return grooves 62, 64, for sealing the same against escape of cooling fluid when the rotary transfer ring 78 (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6) is in assembled, encircling relationship with ring 56. Ring 56 is retained in a stationary position with respect to rotatable power shaft and with respect to the mounting frame 14 of the machine by means of a holding plate 80 (Figs. 1 and 2) which has an open ended slot 82 in the body portion thereof for receiving a pin 84 (Figs. 2 and 3) secured or threaded into ring 56 and including a lock nut element 84a. The other end 86 of plate 80 is secured as by means of fastener elements 86:: (Fig. l) to bearing 12, thereby maintaining transfer ring member 56 stationary with respect to the power shaft 10 and to the machine frame 14 and yet permitting some adjustment of transfer unit 32 axially on its supporting shaft.

Stationary ring 56 also comprises a passageway 88 (Figs. 2 and 3) extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of ring 56 which is adapted to communicate with the aforementioned cylinder operating fluid transfer groove 48 in cylinder operating fluid transfer ring or element 40. The outer end of passageway 88 is connected to a cylinder operating fluid feed line 98 (Figs. 2 and 3) which extends to an operating fluid reservoir (not shown) in the conventional manner, for supplying cylinder operating fluid via passageways 88 and 52 to feed line 54 and thence to cylinder 22. As aforementioned, the position of passageway 88 and feed line 90 as illustrated in Fig. 2 is not a true showing but is for illustrative purposes only with Figs. 3 and 4 illustrating the true positions of such structure. Ring member 56 may be formed of anti-friction material, such as bronze, to facilitate relative movement between rotary cylinder operating fluid transfer ring 40 and rotary cooling fluid transfer member 78.

As aforementioned rotary cooling ring transfer member 78 is mounted on stationary member 56. Member 78 comprises interior, circumferentially extending grooves 92 and 94 respectively (Figs. 5 and 6). Groove 92 is disposed in co-axial overlying relationship with groove 62 in stationary ring 56, while groove 94 is disposed in similar relationship with groove 64 in ring element 56, with the aforementioned O-ring members 77 sealing the mating surfaces of the ring elements, to provide fluid tight transfer of the cooling fluid from the stationary ring member 56 to the rotary ring member 78. Ring element 78 is connected by ports 92a and 94a and the aforementioned feed and return lines 36 and 38 respectively, to the cooling jacket 34, thereby placing the cooling fluid passing through the jacket in feed and return relationship with fluid transfer ring assembly 32 via lines 36 and 38 respectively. Rotary transfer ring element 78 is keyed to the work drum 18 by means of drive plate 98 (Figs. 1, 2 and 9) which is secured by fastener elements, such as bolts 100 to a lug 102 attached to the outer periphery of the cooling jacket 34, and at the other end thereof comprises an open ended slot 104 which receives in holding relationship a pin 186 threaded into rotary transfer member 78 and secured thereto as by means of lock nut 108. It will be seen therefore, that upon rotation of Work drum 18, transfer ring 78 will rotate in synchronism therewith.

Rotary ring member 78 is retained against relative axial movement with respect to stationary ring member 56 by the engagement at one end of ring 78 with shoulder 58 on ring 56 (Fig. 4), and the engagement of retainer ring 58a with the other end of ring 78, as may be best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

It will be clearly seen from Figs. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings that in the embodiment shown, the fluid transfer feed and return ports 92a and 94a respectively of rotatable transfer ring 78 are disposed generally diametrically opposite one another or at an angular relationship of approximately while the driving pin 186 and associated driving plate 98 are positioned 90 from either of the feed and return ports 92a and 94a in rotary ring member 78. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, the feed and return port 92:: and 94a in rotary member 78 have been illustrated in the upper portion of the ring element for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that actually when the driving pin 106 and plate 98 are in the position shown in Fig. 2, such ports will be disposed in a plane extending generally perpendicular "with respect to the surface of the paper on which Fig. 2 appears and with the ports being located on opp-osite sides of ring member 78 and as clearly shown in Figsv 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Referring now to Fig. 11, which diagrammatically illustrates the flow of the cooling fluid to and from the Work drum 18, it will be seen that feed line 68 runs from the pressure side of water circulating pump P in the cooling system of the main power plant of the machine on which the winch mechanism is mounted, it being understood that such machine may be of the general type shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 1,947,356. The cooling fluid flowing in the direction of the arrows, enters port 66 in stationary ring member 56, flows through passageways 59 (Figs. 3 and 4) and in the direction of the full-line arrows illustrated thereon, then through ports 78 into co-extending grooves 62 and 92 of stationary ring 56 and rotatable ring member 78, the mating surfaces of ring members 56 and 78 being sealed by O-ring members 77. The cooling fluid then passes through fluid port 92a in member '78 and through feed line 36 to the jacket 34 capsulating the external circumferential surface of work'dium 18. The fluid flows over the external surface of drum 18 thereby effectively cooling the latter by direct contact of the fluid with the external surface of the work drum. The cooling fluid which has picked up considerable heat from drum 18, then flows from jacket 34 through return line 38, then through return port 94:: in rotatable ring element 78 into fluid passing grove 94 in ring 78 and co'extending, underlying groove 64 in stationary ring 56, through ports 76 into return passageways 60 in stationary ring 56, then through port 72 into return line 74 which leads to the radiator R of the cooling system of the main power plant of the machine. The heated fluid i cooled as it passes through the radiator structure and then it is pumped once more by pump unit P to feed line 68 where it again passes through the cooling mechanism of the Winch apparatus. Suitable valve mechanism of conventional type may be inserted in feed line 68 intermediate the pump P and the entry port 66 in stationary ring 56 for manually controlling the amount of cooling fluid flowing through jacket member 34.

It will be seen therefore, that with the latter described cooling mechanism, it is possible to transmit cooling fluid from a stationary point to a movable Work drum in an expeditious manner, and to utilize the fluid in a main cooling system of an associated power plant, thereby obviating the necessity of close attendance by the machine operator. Moreover, the invention provides for the effective transfer of cylinder operating fluid from a stationary point to movable brake and/or clutch mechanism, for actuating the latter, thereby providing for the eflicient operation and maintenance of the brake and/or clutch mechanisms.

Referring now to Fig. of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment of the work drum cooling mechanism of the invention. The fluid transfer ring assembly of this embodiment does not include a cylinder operating fluid transfer ring member, since such fluid is fed through an axially extending passageway 110 in the drive shaft 112 of the winch mechanism, and thence to a feed line 111 connected to a transversely extending portion 110a of passageway 110. The inner or stationary ring member 114 of the cooling-fluid transfer ring assembly is of generally similar construction as the stationary ring 56 of the first described embodiment of the invention except that it does not embody any passageway means for transferring cylinder operating fluid, and may be held stationary with respect to the rotary drive shaft 112 and to the supporting frame 14 of the machine in a similar manner as the first described embodiment of the invention. A feed line 116 feeds pressurized cooling fluid from the radiator of the cooling system of the main power plant of the machine into passage way 118 through port 128, and then into fluid transfer groove 122 extending circumferentially about the external surface of the ring 114, then into internal, diagonally extending groove 124 in rotatable ring 126 and thence through port 127 into feed conduit 128 which communicates with a continuous cooling coil 13!) secured to the external surface of work drum 18 of the winch mechanism. The coil 130 is preferably composed of copper tubing in intimate contact with the external, circumferential surface of drum 18. Heat passes by conduction through the walls of the copper tubing to the cooling fluid circulating therethrough. The fluid is removed from the other end of the coil 130 by return line 132 from whence it is fed back into another internal diagonally extending groove in the rotatable ring 126 and to the underlying external, circumferential groove 125 in stationary ring 114. The cooling fluid then passes through a longitudinally extending return passageway similar to feed passageway 118 in the stationary ring to return line 136 and thence back to the return side of the radiator of the main cooling system of the power plant of the machine. A grease fitting 138 of conventional type and associated transversely extending passageway 8 140 is provided in stationary ring element 114 for the providing for lubrication and free rotary movement of shaft 112 with respect to stationary ring 114. It will be seen therefore, that rotary or movable ring member 12$ rotates in synchronism with work drum 18 whenever the latter is driven or actuated by clutch mechanism '24. Means auxiliary to the feed and return lines 128 and 132 may be provided to positively key the rotatable ring 126 to the work drum, utilizing such an arrangement as for instance generally similar to the drive pin and plate arrangement 106, 98 of the first described embodiment of the invention. The operation of the cooling mechanism of the second described embodiment is generally similar to that of the first described embodiment, the only difference being somewhat decreased heat transfer from work drum 18 to the cooling fluid, since the cooling fluid in the second embodiment does not directly contact the external surface of the work drum 18.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it will be seen that the invention provides a novel, compact heat transfer mechanism for the effective and rapid cooling of a work drum of an associated work mechanism such as a winch mechanism, and one which may be readily installed on existing mechanisms and which may utilize the cooling fluid of the cooling system of a main power unit associated therewith. The invention also provides a cylinder operating fluid transfer mechanism in combination with the cooling fluid transfer mechanism for the effective application of operating fluid to actuate elements of brake and/or clutch mechanism which coact with the work drum.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of the features described or shown or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a winch mechanism for a mobile back-filling machine, including a friction controlled work drum rotatably mounted on a drive shaft and friction clutch means secured to said shaft for selectively coupling said drum to said shaft, a heat transfer mechanism for cooling said drum, said heat transfer mechanism comprising a liquid transfer ring assembly mounted on the exterior of said shaft, a cooling liquid jacket element encircling the external surface of said drum, and conduit means disposed exteriorly of said shaft and connecting said fluid transfer ring assembly to said jacket for the passage of cooling fluid through said jacket and the return thereof to said fluid transfer ring assembly, said ring assembly comprising an inner stationary ring mounted on said rotary drive shaft coaxially therewith and being adapted for connection to an exterior stationary source of pressurized cooling liquid, and another ring rotatably mounted on said first ring and disposed in liquid transferring communication with said first ring, said conduit means communicating between the second mentioned ring and said jacket and means keying said second ring to said drum for rotation thereof in synchronism with said drum.

2. Heat transfer mechanism for cooling a friction controlled work drum rotatably mounted on and with respect to a drive shaft of a winch apparatus for a mobile back-filling machine, said heat transfer mechanism comprising a liquid transfer unit mounted on the exterior of said shaft in coaxial relation therewith, a cooling liquid enclosure intimately encircling the periphery of said drum, and passageway means disposed exteriorly of said shaft and connecting said transfer unit with said enclosure for passing cooling fluid from said transfer unit to said enclosure and thence back to said unit, said transfer unit comprising a stationary member adapted for connection to a stationary source of supply of cooling liquid and a movable member mounted for rotation on said stationary 9 member and keyed to said drum for rotation in synchronism therewith, said passageway means being connected to said movable member, said members being disposed in sealed liquid transmitting relationship for providing a leakage-free path to and from the source of supply of cooling liquid to and from said enclosure.

3. A heat transfer mechanism in accordance with claim 2, wherein said enclosure comprises a hollow jacket secured at its sides to the outer periphery of said drum and extending outwardly therefrom.

4. A heat transfer mechanism in accordance with claim 2, wherein said enclosure comprises a continuous tubular coil disposed in intimate contact with the outer periphery of said drum.

5. A heat transfer mechanism in accordance with claim 2, wherein said shaft is journaled in bearing means secured to stationary frame structure, and means for keying said stationary transfer member to said bearing means.

6. In an apparatus of the type described comprising, a winch mechanism for a mobile back-filling machine including a friction controlled work drum rotatably mounted on a drive shaft and friction clutch means secured to said shaft for selectively coupling said drum to said shaft, a cooling liquid enclosure encircling the external periphery of the drum, a cooling liquid transfer unit mounted coaxially on said shaft, conduit means disposed externally of said shaft and connecting said transfer unit to said enclosure for passage of cooling liquid therebetween, said transfer unit comprising a ring member mounted on the exterior of said shaft and having means therein for passing cooling fluid therethrough, means for maintaining said first ring member stationary with respect to said shaft, a second ring member mounted on said first ring member in encircling relationship therewith and having means therein in fiuid passing communication with said means in said first ring member, said conduit means being connected to said second ring member, means for keying said second ring member to said drum for rotation in synchronism therewith, and means on said first ring member adapted for connecting the latter to a liquid cooling system of an internal combustion engine for providing a pressurized flow of cooling liquid to and from said enclosure for cooling said drum.

7. In a winch mechanism for a mobile back-filling machine including a work drum rotatably mounted on a drive shaft and friction clutch means secured to said shaft for selectively coupling said drum to said shaft,

the combination therewith of a liquid transfer unit mounted on the exterior of said shaft coaxially therewith and adjacent said drum, a cooling liquid heat transfer jacket encircling the external surface of said drum in intimate contact therewith, conduit means disposed exteriorly of said shaft and connecting said jacket to said transfer unit, said conduit means including a feed line and a return line, said transfer unit comprising a first stationary ring member mounted on said shaft for rotary movement of the latter with respect to said first ring member, said first ring member having axially extending cooling liquid transfer passageways therein, one of said passageways being a feed passageway and the other of said passageways being a return passageway, a second ring member rotatably mounted on said first ring member in cooling liquid transferring communication with said passageways of said first ring member, said free and return lines being connected to said second ring member and in communication with the respective one of said passage- Ways in said first ring member, means for keying said second ring member to said drum for rotation therewith in synchronism with said drum, a third operating fluid transfer ring member secured to said shaft, said third ring member being disposed in telescoped underlying relation with respect to said first ring mmeber and adapted for rotation with respect thereto, said third ring member having an axially extending passageway therein for trans- Initting cylinder operating fluid therethrough, conduit means disposed externally of said shaft and communicating with said passageway in said third ring member to connect the last mentioned passageway to fluid actuated cylinder means disposed for rotation with said shaft, and passageway means in said first ring member communicating with said passageway in said third ring member in operating fluid transferring relation, and conduit means connecting said last mentioned passageway means in said first ring member to an external stationary source of supply of operating fluid for selective actuation of said fluid actuated cylinder means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,924,216 Smith et a1 Aug. 29, 1933 2,468,388 Wilson Apr. 26, 1949 2,565,791 Wagner et al Aug. 28, 1951 2,726,846 Crookston et a1. Dec. 13, 1955 2,850,125 True Sept. 2, 1958 R. W. ALLRED EFAL HONEYCOMB PANEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1957 INVENTORS Robert W A/lred Thomas $.Com'tois BY M ATTORNEY 

